The Original Duplicate

To me an image is more than what it seems. It is a visual representation of something. If a photograph is taken of an 'object' (an object being anything within the frame such as a person, event, a feeling, emotions, etc.), the resulting image is not the original 'object'. The photograph is a physical 'object' that exists separately from the original 'object'. Although the subject matter is an imprint of the original, the photograph can never become part of that original, it becomes almost a print or an impression of it. For example if I were to look at an image of a man, I would know that I was viewing a photograph, not the man himself. The photograph itself as an object becomes a barrier that distances us, by reminding us of our own consciousness and surroundings. 

I suppose it all boils down to the conscious knowledge, of the differences between the 'object' and the 'subject'. Nothing can become the original. Even to the extent that if I were to duplicate an already existing image, the duplicate would not be the original. They would look, feel, and depict the same thing, but they would still be two separate objects! 

JM

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Eye Contact or No Eye Contact? That is the Question

Hello again!

Here are a few new images from my current project. 

I recently had a meeting with one of my lectures about this project. She took one look at my studio portraits and said, "Why are they looking away?" To be honest I hadn’t really thought about it. I just thought the ones where they were looking away seemed 'softer', more pleasant to look at. However I do like to idea of the confrontation of the lens... it's an interesting idea, with many theories and concepts evolving around it. So for my latest 3 shoots I decided to try it. I asked all my sitters to look straight down the heart of the camera like them just as much, so now I am in a slight conundrum as to keep them looking away or looking into the lens. I think I may try and keep the confrontation, as it could add an interesting spin on my images when I submerge them in water. We will have to see....

JM

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New Portraits

For my degree project I am looking into taking some normal studio portraits to accompany the underwater images (see earlier posts). I took these today in the studios at university. One of the main reasons I wanted to do these portraits was so when these images were viewed alongside the underwater portraits, my concept of the effects of water, could be more clearly seen and understood.

I took these images on a Hasselblad H3D. One of the most amazing cameras I have ever used, and also one of the most complicated! But once I had been shown the general settings, it was indeed an amazing camera. 

JM

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Repossessing Tim

Just completed the first day of a three day film shoot. It went really well. Cast and crew were both on form. I am taking production stills for a short film called 'Repossessing Tim'. It's going to be amazing!

It was all in TV studio today, so it was nicely heated and everything was picture perfect. However tomorrow could be more difficult. It's on location, in a quarry, out in the sticks! It could be ok, but if it stays the temperature it has been for the last few days, we could end up with a frozen cast and crew! Oh well.

I am rather looking forward to it though, despite the weather concerns. I like natural light and working with what i get given. It makes it a challenge.

Images to follow soon

JM

 

Yesterday I had a tutorial with one of my lecturers. Needless to say it didn't exactly go to plan! 

I am rubbish at explaining my concepts to other people. In a way I forget that they are not in my head! So, cutting a long story short I don't think she has fully understood what I am trying to do with my images. My concept is about how the water of the ocean can slow and alienate people that are submerged in it. But I think she thinks its about lack of control and clumsily floundering around. She prefers the images that i have taken that are obscure and covered in bubbles and sediment, (image on the left) as she says they fit my concept better. but I personally don't think they do because that isn't what my concept is about... i prefer the cleaner more ghostly images (images on the right).

I'm at a loss...

I dont want to be rude by correcting her, but I have an assessment next week and I get an estimated grade. I don't want to get a grade for a project that I am not doing!!!

Which do you prefer?

JM

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